The Scarlet Gown

by Sarah Mallory

  ‘The storm is getting closer,’ he said urgently. ‘We need to take shelter. The rocks are nearest.’

  Lucy made no protest as he took her arm and hurried her towards Druids Rock. Rivulets of muddy water ran along the path and in some disconnected part of her mind she was aware that her muslin skirts were no longer cream but brown as high as the knee. Soon Ralph was leading her off the main path and up the narrow track to the rocks themselves. He pulled her through a small gap between two of the stones and into a small, dry cavity. It was too low to stand and they knelt on the earth floor, staring out at the rain.

  ‘We should be safe enough here.’ Ralph shrugged himself out of his greatcoat and put it around Lucy’s shoulders. ‘These rocks have stood thus for thousands of years. They won’t collapse upon us.’ Lightning flashed outside, followed so quickly by the thunder that Lucy jumped. Immediately, Ralph’s arm was around her. He said lightly, ‘I said women go to pieces in an electrical storm. Is that why you ran away from me? Were you frightened?’

  She bowed her head, too numbed to dissemble.

  ‘Not by the thunder. I could not bear it, to be in your arms, knowing all the time you were thinking of your wife.’

  ‘That is not why I kissed you.’

  She managed a sad little smile.

  ‘No. You wanted to comfort me. That was very kind, but—’

  ‘Kind!’ He gripped her shoulders and turned her towards him. ‘By heaven, I was not being kind, Lucy. I have never been kind to you, more’s the pity. I kissed you because I wanted to do so, because that is all I have wanted to do ever since I brought you to Adversane.’

  His voice was harsh, and she peered through the gloom at him, trying to see his expression and understand what he was saying. He let her go, sitting back on his heels.

  ‘It is true I hired you because of your resemblance to Helene, but I soon discovered that you are nothing like her. She never touched my heart as you do, Lucy. She was stunningly beautiful, yes, but there was nothing behind those blue eyes. At least, not for me.’ He took one of her hands and stared down at it, saying quietly, ‘I always believed I was not the kind to fall in love, but I was wrong. Since you have been in the house you have turned my world upside down. You question and challenge and stand up to me as an equal. You have invaded my head, Lucy Halbrook, but you have also touched me here.’ He pulled her hand against his chest. ‘That was why I want to kiss you, why I love you. Not because you are similar to Helene, but because you are different.’

  Lucy could feel his heart thudding through the damp cloth of his waistcoat. She put her free hand on his shoulder, closed the distance between them and kissed him. She had intended it to be a gentle kiss, full of comfort and reassurance, but when their lips met the searing bolt that passed between them was as great as any electrical storm. She clung to him, almost swooning as his mouth worked over hers, his tongue flickering, caressing, calling up the now-familiar desire from deep in her core. There was no grace, no delicacy—just a passionate, urgent desire that drove them on. They began to tear off their wet clothing between a series of hot, breathless kisses.

  Lucy’s thin muslin gown was soaked through and had to be peeled away, leaving her body slick and wet. Ralph’s greatcoat had slipped from her shoulders and once they had discarded their clothes he pulled Lucy down onto it. A shiver of delight ran through her when she felt his naked limbs pressed against her own and smelled the salty dampness of his skin. He wrapped her in his arms, covering her face and neck with kisses. When his hand began to caress her breast, she strained towards him. His hand slid away, and she felt his mouth on the hard nub he had aroused, sucking and teasing until she was moaning with the delightful torture of it. She dug her nails into his shoulders as he continued the delicious torment and when she pulled his head up so that she could kiss his lips again, his fingers continued their restless assault, moving down, stroking her thighs, caressing her so intimately that she arched, gasping against his mouth.

  Ripples of delight were pulsing through her, growing ever stronger. Her body softened. She was opening like a flower, laying her soul bare to this man who could wreak such havoc with her senses. She was no longer in control; her body was responding to Ralph’s demanding fingers as they stroked and circled and eased her to the very edge of ecstasy.

  She cried out when he entered her, a tiny pain, followed by the slow building of pleasure again as he moved within her, slow steady strokes that had her crying out with delight. She had never felt such elation. Instinctively, she moved with him, matching his rhythm, the momentum carrying them higher and higher until at last they crested in a joyful union. The world shattered—Lucy heard Ralph shout, and she screamed, afraid that she was falling, only to feel herself held close, safely wrapped in his arms.

  * * *

  They lay together, bodies entwined, cocooned in a peace of their own making while the storm raged on outside. Ralph closed his eyes and breathed deeply, his body relaxed. He felt an immense satisfaction, but he was also somewhat stunned by the ferocity of their passion. Lucy had returned kiss for kiss, and if her lovemaking was a little inexpert it had been no less ardent and arousing. His sense of contentment deepened. She had much to learn, and he would enjoy teaching her. No doubt he, too, would learn a great deal in the process. She stirred and turned towards him, one arm slipping over his chest while her lips nibbled at his neck.

  ‘Has the thunder been that loud all the time?’ she murmured.

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘I did not notice.’

  ‘Shall I take that as a compliment?’

  She laughed softly, a low, delicious sound that stirred his desire.

  ‘I hardly know,’ she replied demurely. ‘After all, I have no experience with which to compare what we have just done.’

  Any remaining lethargy disappeared. He rolled over and pinned her beneath him.

  ‘Then you should believe me when I tell you that was very good.’

  ‘I should?’ Even in the dim light he could see the mischief in her eyes. She moved slightly, and his body reacted immediately. He was tense and coiled like a spring again, ready for action. Her smile told him she was perfectly aware of the effect she was having, and she murmured provocatively, ‘Perhaps you should show me again, my lord.’

  Growling, Ralph stifled her laugh with a kiss. She responded eagerly, but this time there was no urgency to complete their union. He covered every part of her body with kisses. Her reactions delighted him, and she was eager to please him, too, exploring him with her hands and her mouth, learning quickly how to enslave him until he dragged her into his arms for another earth-shattering union that left them too exhausted to do anything other than sleep.

  * * *

  When Lucy awoke the rain had stopped. Sunlight gleamed at the entrance to their shelter and she could hear the faint song of a skylark somewhere over the moors. She stirred, and immediately Ralph’s arm tightened around her.

  ‘We must get back,’ she murmured. ‘We will be missed.’

  Ralph rolled over and kissed her, then he eased himself up on one elbow.

  ‘You are very beautiful,’ he murmured.

  She felt her whole body blushing under his gaze.

  ‘So, too, are you.’ She reached up and touched the hard contours of his chest, pushing her fingers through the smattering of crisp black hair. ‘I have never seen a man’s body before, save in paintings or sculpture. I think I would like to stay here and look at it for ever.’

  ‘I would dearly like to indulge you, my love, but unfortunately you are right, we will be missed. I must get you back to Adversane. But don’t worry.’ He caught her hand and raised it to his lips. ‘There will be plenty of opportunities for us to study each other in future.’

  The thought made her shiver with pleasure. She sat up and reached for her clothes.

  ‘They are
so wet it will not be easy to dress,’ she remarked. ‘Will you help me?’

  * * *

  Putting the cold, wet material onto her body was neither easy nor pleasant, but at last she was dressed and while Ralph threw on his own clothes she tried vainly to tidy her hair. Then it was time to crawl out of their shelter.

  The sun was blessedly hot and Lucy shook out the mud-splattered skirts, saying with dismay, ‘I fear this gown is quite ruined. What will everyone think?’

  ‘That we were caught in a thunderstorm,’ said Ralph. ‘They may of course guess at what occurred while we were sheltering, but if they do they will not think much about it. We are betrothed after all.’ He took her hand. ‘There can be no question of calling off the engagement now, Lucy.’

  ‘Do you want to marry me, Ralph?’

  His smile banished her doubts. He pulled her close and kissed her.

  ‘Yes, I do. Very much.’

  Another kiss set her heart singing. She clung to him for a moment, wondering how it was possible to be so happy.

  * * *

  With a reluctant sigh, Ralph lifted his head, trying to ignore the temptation of those soft lips and the green eyes that positively smouldered with passion. Not that she was trying to be seductive. He found her very innocence intoxicating. But it was a responsibility, too. He would take care of her.

  Better than the care you took of Helene.

  The thought was like a hammer blow to his conscience. Was he wrong to marry again? After Helene’s death he had vowed never to do so, but his resolution had wavered and died when Lucy Halbrook swept into Adversane, turning his life upside down. But was she strong enough to stand up to him, or would he see her spirit crushed by his impatience? Dear heaven, he prayed he was not making a mistake!

  Some of the pain it caused must have been displayed in his face, for he saw Lucy’s look change to one of concern. Banishing his darker thoughts, he said with a smile, ‘Let us get back before they send out a search party. Are you cold in those wet clothes? Would you like to wear my greatcoat?’

  ‘Thank you, but, no. I am quite warm now and the sun will dry me a little as we walk.’

  ‘Come along, then.’

  He took her hand and with his greatcoat over his free arm they set off. When they reached the spot where he had come upon her she asked him how he had known where to find her.

  ‘You left the wicket gate open. I saw it as soon as I looked outside. I would have found you sooner, only I thought you would be hiding somewhere in the house.’ His frantic search of the dark, storm-filled house now seemed like part of another life. ‘I did not think you would be so foolish as to go out of doors.’

  ‘I wanted to get away from you and everyone. I thought you would be so angry that...that I had stopped you...’

  The unease in her voice tore at his heart.

  ‘Not so much angry as bemused,’ he said, remembering that when she had pushed him away he had hoped—prayed—it had been the storm that had frightened her and not his passion. ‘Then, when I realised you were heading for the moors I was afraid for you. Electrical storms can be very dangerous.’

  ‘So you came after me.’

  ‘Yes, although I had not planned to ravish you.’ He squeezed her fingers. ‘Do you regret it?’

  She shook her head.

  ‘Not at all.’ She stopped. ‘Unless you do—Ralph, you will tell me, won’t you, if you decide you do not want to marry me?’

  Looking down into her upturned face, he knew how much he wanted to marry her, but should he do so? Could he be a good husband? That little worm of doubt still gnawed at his conscience. He thrust the thought aside and pulled her close, giving in to the temptation to take just one more kiss.

  ‘That will never happen,’ he said. ‘You are mine now, Lucy Halbrook, and I shall never let you go.’

  * * *

  Lucy’s heart soared. She accompanied Ralph back through the old ride, her heart singing. However, when they reached the house grounds she found her apprehension growing.

  ‘Ralph, is there a way we can slip into the house unnoticed? That door in the wall perhaps...’

  ‘That leads to the kitchen gardens and unfortunately there will be servants everywhere at this time of the day. To creep in like a couple of thieves would give rise to the very worst sort of conjecture. No, my love, we must brave it out.’

  My love.

  The words gave her courage as he led her towards the main entrance.

  Chapter Eleven

  Byrne was waiting for them, his countenance even more wooden than usual.

  ‘I have taken the liberty of sending water up to the rooms, my lord.’

  Ralph resisted the temptation to put his hand up to his neck cloth as he saw the butler’s eyes slide up to it, then on to Lucy’s dishevelled appearance. He was relieved when Ariadne came bustling over.

  ‘Oh, my heavens, I saw you coming across the lawn. Lucy, my dear, your gown—!’

  ‘We were caught out in the storm,’ Ralph explained. ‘We took shelter at Druids Rock, but not before Miss Halbrook suffered a drenching. Perhaps, Cousin, you would be good enough to take her to her room?’

  ‘Yes, yes, of course. Come along, my love.’

  He said, as he accompanied them across the hall, ‘Did anyone else observe our return?’

  ‘No, I do not think so. Everyone is in the library or the drawing room. I had gone upstairs to fetch my book and saw you from the staircase landing.’

  Lucy put a hand up to her wet hair.

  ‘I must look quite frightful.’

  Her voice shook a little and Ralph wanted to gather her in his arms again, but Ariadne was bustling around her like a mother hen.

  ‘You will feel much better once we have found you some dry clothes.’ She took Lucy’s arm as they began to mount the stairs, sparing no more than an impatient look for Ralph.

  ‘There is no need for you to tarry here, Adversane, I will look after Lucy. You should run on to your own room. The sooner you have changed the sooner you can look after your guests.’

  * * *

  Lucy watched him take the stairs two at a time. His short, dark hair was already dry. A change of clothes and no one would know he had been caught in the rain. For herself, she knew she would be going down to dinner with her curls still damp.

  Mrs Dean accompanied her into the dressing room, where Ruthie was overseeing the filling of a hip-bath.

  ‘We should put a little elderflower oil in the water. It is very good for aches and chills. I have some in my room.’

  ‘Oh, would you fetch it, please, Ariadne? I am sure it will help.’ Lucy gave the widow a tiny smile. ‘Ruthie will look after me now.’

  Having sent the widow bustling away, Lucy went back to her bedroom to undress. She assured Ruthie she could manage quite well on her own and ordered the maid to make sure the servants did not spill the bathwater.

  * * *

  ‘There, Miss, you looks quite respectable again.’

  There was no guile in the maid’s open countenance; she thought merely that her mistress had been caught in the heavy rainstorm which had quite ruined her gown. The thin muslin was muddy and too badly damaged to repair. It had been thrown away, bundled up with the undergarments that bore the tell-tale signs of Lucy’s lost virginity. She was now ready to go down to dinner, dressed in green silk and the only evidence of her soaking was her damp hair.

  She was a little apprehensive about entering the drawing room, and Caroline’s cheerful greeting informed her that her escapade had not gone unnoticed.

  ‘So, Lucy, my brother had to rescue you from the storm.’

  Ariadne shook her head and murmured, ‘So foolhardy to go out at all in such weather.’

  ‘Miss Halbrook is not used to the sudden
violence of our northern weather.’ Ralph was holding out his hand to her and smiling. ‘I hope her experience today will not give her a dislike of Adversane.’

  Lucy read the message in his eyes and tried desperately not to blush. She risked sending him a message of her own.

  ‘Quite the contrary, my lord.’

  ‘Ralph,’ he reminded her. He pulled her hand onto his arm and led her across to Ariadne. ‘But you see, Cousin, she is looking even more radiant, so there’s no harm done.’

  ‘I sincerely hope not.’

  The words were uttered so quietly that only Lucy heard them as she sat down beside Mrs Dean.

  ‘But why did you go out at all?’ asked Charlotte. ‘Mama said you were painting in the morning room, only you were not there when I went to find you to tell you that we were going to play charades.’

  ‘I wanted a little air,’ Lucy replied. ‘I did not realise I had wandered so far...’

  Margaret chuckled. ‘Giving Ralph the opportunity to play Sir Galahad.’

  ‘And you took shelter at Druids Rock,’ stated Adam.

  ‘Yes.’ Lucy knew he was watching her closely and hoped she sounded nonchalant.

  ‘Remarkable place, Druids Rock,’ added Sir James. ‘I am glad the storm has passed, for I want to go there to see the dawn tomorrow.’ He looked around, beaming. ‘Summer solstice, you know. Perhaps some of you would like to join me?’

  ‘With Midsummer’s Eve looming?’ Judith Cottingham shook her head. ‘I for one will be resting and building up my strength for that.’

  There was a general murmur of agreement and Ralph said, ‘You are welcome to go, of course, Preston, but I doubt you will find anyone to accompany you.’

  ‘Of course I would not expect you to go there, Adversane, but I am not unhopeful... Charlotte, my dear, what about you?’

  His daughter wrinkled her pretty nose. ‘Not I, Papa! I am not like Helene, slipping off to Druids Rock whenever she could get away. She must truly have thought it had magic powers, since she was always going there.’